3-Week radiation blast could spare seniors from 7 weeks of treatment

NCT ID NCT04284540

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested a shorter radiation schedule (3 weeks instead of 6-7) for head and neck cancer in people aged 70 and older. The goal was to see if it could still control the cancer while reducing side effects and treatment gaps. 37 participants received either adjuvant or definitive hypofractionated radiation.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: radiation therapy (hypofractionation)
What this could lead to: If successful, this shorter radiation schedule could make treatment easier for older patients and reduce side effects while still controlling the cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study with only 37 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The shorter schedule might not control the cancer as well as standard treatment.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Head and Neck Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (HNSCC)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Mount Sinai Chelsea

New York, New York, 10011, United States
Mount Sinai Downtown Union Square

New York, New York, 10003, United States
Mount Sinai Hospital

New York, New York, 10029, United States
Mount Sinai West

New York, New York, 10019, United States

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